You meet lots of people in the real estate business – some nice and some not so nice. The National Association of REALTORS® has recognized the need for thorough training and information on how to maximize REALTOR® safety and we at NOMAR certainly want to do our part to keep our members safe. 2016 NOMAR President Lesha Freeland understands the need to increase awareness on REALTOR® safety issues and has chosen this as her initiative to champion during her presidency. We hope you’ll use the resources on our website and on the NAR Safety Portal to keep yourself protected and to learn how to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

NAR has compiled a comprehensive resource for various apps and products focused on REALTOR® Safety. NOMAR does not sponsor or support any particular application or product, but we have highlighted three of the best apps from the NAR site.

The NAR-sponsored app, React Mobile, is a personal safety solution that turns your smartphone into a powerful lifeline. With this free app, you can let a wide network, including the local authorities, know where you are and that you need help. Their safety app features a “Follow-Me” function so you can let your trusted contacts know where you’re going and how for how long. The React Mobile smartphone app is availablefor freeto download on iTunes, Google Play and the Amazon App Store.

Another app, Agents Armor, is designed specifically for real estate agents to alert brokers, emergency contacts and authorities everything they need to know about your appointments. The app allows you to let your broker and your emergency contacts know you are on a showing. With the voice memo feature, you can give a description of your client and his/her car; you can even take photos, which is uploaded to a secure server. Throughout the showing, a safety alert checks in to make sure you are safe. If you do not respond, your broker, emergency contacts and the authorities are notified with your GPS coordinates.

Finally, SafeFi is a free app that can be used in any dangerous or uncomfortable situation to instantly alert family, friends, co-workers and 911 that you need help. SafeFi utilizes a patented technology called SNAPP that turns your power button into a rescue button. No need to unlock your phone or navigate through apps, just repeatedly press your smartphone power button and an alert is sent with vital information and GPS coordinates to your network and 911 if needed.

NAR has also provided an extensive list of safety tips and information for REALTORS®. We have featured a few below, but to see the entire list of 56 safety tips from NAR, please click here.

Keep it light

Show properties before dark. If you are going to be working after hours, advise your associate or first-line supervisor of your schedule. If you must show a property after dark, turn on all lights as you go through, and don't lower any shades or draw curtains or blinds.

Carry less

If you carry a purse, lock it in your car trunk before arriving at an appointment. Carry only non-valuable business items (except for your cell phone), and do not wear expensive jewelry or watches, or appear to be carrying large sums of money.

Rely on good neighbors

Inform a neighbor that you will be hosting an open house, and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.

Don’t get parked-in

When showing property or meeting someone, park your car in front of the property rather than in the driveway. You will avoid having your car blocked in, you’ll have an easier time escaping in your vehicle, and you will attract lots of attention running and screaming to your car at the curb area.

Choose flight over fight

While every real estate agent should take a basic self-defense course, the primary goal in any threatening situation is to escape from immediate danger and call for help.

In addition to providing you with helpful tips and resources, we also want to provide you with the practical training and knowledge necessary to protect yourself in case the worst happens. Sign up here to enroll in our REALTOR® safety course from NAR on Sept. 8 (Metairie Office) and Sept. 9 (Mandeville Office) from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

For our Northshore-area REALTORS® who would like to attend a self-defense class in St. Tammany Parish, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's office is hosting a three-seminar course called "Lady Beware" which begins on Saturday, September 24 at 8 a.m. For more information, please click here.

Xpress Key Alert Feature

Did you know you can send a Distress Alert with your Xpress Key with the Alert Feature?

These alerts are designed to be sent out in real-time, as quickly as you can receive a text message, is how long that alert takes to reach their designated contacts.

To set up the alert feature, you must you go into your SupraWeb account and set up who you want the predetermined message to be delivered to. Then, when the alert button is pushed and held for about three seconds, the email is sent to the recipient’s email address immediately, as long as the agent is within cellular coverage.